Woke up early for a City Bus Tour which provided us with a real insight into the city. I'd have loved to have had some of whatever the bus driver was on - he never stopped singing, shouting, joking etc all the way through the tour!

Saw all the major bits and pieces although we weren't told when we went past Mrs Doubtfire's house - bugger!- although we did see where Robin Williams lives. Other points we visited included the school where O.J. Simpson and Joe DiMaggio were taught to play sport, the highest point in the city, Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman's Wharf.

In the afternoon we had a pre-booked trip to Alcatraz which was really interesting. It was fascinating to find out about all the different inmates, especially one known as Vince 'The Mince' Mason who always ended up picking up the soap.

Bumpy ride back to the mainland where we wandered around Pier 39 for a couple of hours before hailing a cab to North Beach for an Italian meal - which was recommended by our all singing, all dancing tour guide ... thank God he wasn't there!

After the meal, we discovered that we hadn't the faintest idea where the hell we were and it was getting dark! Not wishing to accidentally stroll into the Tenderloin, or for that matter the Rainbow District, we hailed another cab. Somehow, whenever Dad and I get a taxi the driver is always a maniac. Tonight's was no exception. Not content with almost taking out a rival taxi, he then preceded to beep his horn for what seemed an eternity when a car pulled out only for him to mutter, "Fucking Tourists!"

Relieved to still be alive, we paid him and in our best American accents exclaimed, "Thanks Buddy!"

The City ...

The biggest erection in San Francisco ... and it's not even in the photo!

Golden Gate Bridge & Old Vagrant

Alcatraz

The Cell Block

San Francisco From Alcatraz

Escape From Alcatraz

Dad was glad to navigate his way safely out of the city centre in the rush hour and then we hit the open road, every so often having to take a coastal route along the edge of cliffs - I'm sure it would be a lovely view if there wasn't so much bloody fog!

Having reached Carmel, we decided to do the 17 Mile Drive, which again I'm sure would have been very scenic if it hadn't been for the bloody fog!

Next we drove up to Monterey and wandered through their own Old Fisherman's Wharf - basically a poor mans version of San Francisco's. Then on to Carmel which was a very quaint shopping town - a bit like Bicester Village ... on a hill!

After having a look we drove back to the hotel, via the Safeway's (!) to pick up some more of the Animal Cookies (yummy). On a hunch, we checked on the internet to find out if Santa Cruz, which we had passed earlier in the day, was actually where they filmed one of my favourite films, The Lost Boys. It was and although it was getting late, we decdided to pass up on an evening meal and drive back the 40 odd miles in order to have a look.

The place is almost identical to the location in the film, though no reference is made to the movie at all in the town. We found out later that they were upset at the time because in the film the town is given the moniker of 'Murder Capital of The World', when in reality Santa Cruz had been struggling for a decade to get rid of this tag.

It was quite creepy in the dark and we even walked up the pier, which was very dimly lit - all in the name of research you understand. It was all still there on the Boardwalk - the famous Big Dipper Rollercoaster and the Carousel.

We were getting a bit hungery and were happy to find that because it was the 100th Anniversary of the Boardwalk, prices on fastfood had been frozen at 1907 prices - 75 cents an item - limited to 8 Hot Dogs per person per visit.

Monterey Harbour

Adam filming for "Adam & Steve - The Documentary", coming to a cinema near you soon!

Wheely Good

The Lost Boys Big Dipper

Had a large breakfast, although we had to put up with a large annoying group of cyclists who were jabbering away - Dad should have asked for some tips. The waiter also filled my half full cup of tea with coffee whilst I wasn't looking - yuck!

Stopped of in Cambria, a small town with some arty and memorabilia shops, and spent about half an hour looking around. I was still tired from last nights trip and had forty winks in the car - Dad said I was like one of those cuddly toy Garfield window stickies with my arm and face stuck up against the window.

Arrived in Ventura, our destination for the evening, at about 6pm and settled into our room. We went for a stroll along the beach front and observed a group of youths hanging around looking suspicious. As we walked past them I heard the sound of a walkie talkie. About 2 minutes later, two police cyclists rounded the corner, closely followed by another youth who proceeded to follow them, at a distance, all the way up the beach - a lookout???

We hastily retreated to the safety of the historic downtown area and found somewhere for our evening meal - packed with yanks celebrating their day off from work! Unbelieveably, Dad was defeated by a salad! Ok, it was the biggest salad you will ever see, but still ... a salad?

With little else open, we spotted a cinema that was playing the new Robin Williams film, "Licence To Wed". T'was a funny film and then we negotiated our way back to the hotel, crossing the road every so often to avoid alcoholic vagrants begging for money.

Turned on the TV and was greeted by the most disturbing news stories so far - no, not "American Wins Hot Dog Competition By Eating 66 (With Buns) In 12mins", which I believe to be fairly normal over here, but "Mother Cooks Baby In Microwave" and then the following story; "Mother Gets Baby Drunk On Vodka" - what a nation!!!

Actually that reminds me of the programme we were watching the other night; "NBC Datline.com - To Catch A Predator". This involved setting up potential paedophiles online by pretending to be 13 year old boys and girls, asking them to come over to their house, having actors play the kids to get them in the house and the host jumps out and confronts them. Many pleaded for forgiveness, some brought lunch, and one was even caught in the same trap for the second time - yes folks, this IS a series!! - after the host showed them up he told them that they were free to go - only to be arrested as they walked out the door by about 30 police officers! One didn't get down on his knees quick enough so they shot him with a taser - well they did ask him nicely first ... comedy TV at its best, if it wasn't for the seriousness of the subject matter.

We were just dropping off to sleep when the first, of what was to prove many, trains went past the hotel. The railway line ran about 10 yards away from the building and American trains are seemingly endless. It was exactly like the scene from Joe Pesci's "My Cousin Vinny" - even the walls were rattling! Unsuprisingly, Dad slept on ...

Coastal Road 1

Coastal Road 2

Coastal Road 3

Ventura Beach

These outlets are massive - they put Bicester Village to shame - and are set out in a circle. You get halfway round and then notice a cut through which leads to another big circle of shops - they go on for ever ...

After spending a good few hours and a good many dollars at the outlet, we headed into Los Angeles to our hotel which is right by the airport and the same as the first one of the trip. We approached the check-in desk with apprehension as on our previous visit there had been a "toilet malfunction" in the room leading to the past guest's waste resurfacing in the bowl - nothing to do with me ... honest! Obviously it's an embarrasing problem, so we had failed to report it at the time - of course this meant that they might think it was us when they discovered it. This didn't realy bother us, because at the time, we thought that our four day return stay in Los Angeles would be spent at an entirely different hotel - unfortunately, we had failed to notice the voucher hidden in the back of our book showing a one night stay at The Sheraton - oops!

Luckily, we didn't have a black (or brown) mark against our name in their records and we were allowed into the hotel.

We took the same walk as we did the first day, up along past the airport - noted the new security notices - and to the drug store where we purchased a large supply of Animal Cookies!! - should keep me going for a month or two.

Finished the day off with an In-N-Out Burger.

written by  Adam & Steve Balcombe on July 5, 2007 from Los Angeles, United States
from the travel blog: Adam & Steve's Best of the West USA Road Trip 2007!
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Was directed to a car park by the vistor guide at the campus and then queued up for a ticket - which took forever to buy. "Would you like to be sat in Centrefield or Leftfield? ... Ground Level?" asked the booking clerk - obviously he had never sold to uninitiated Brits before - we just wanted to see the game. Finally we settled on a stand called "All You Can Eat" and figured that at least the food would keep us occupied ... if not the game.

Next we raced over to East L.A. to pick-up something for someone - I hope they appreciate that we risked our lives to get it for them - don't tell me that you've never heard of all the shootings in East L.A.!!

Checked into our final hotel of the tour - an emotional experience (sob) - and was a bit worried after the smell in reception. Luckily, the room was fine and we have a large bathroom - just as well.

The game was scheduled to start at 7:40pm but Dad wanted to be sure that we made it ... we left the hotel at 5:30pm. Little did he know, but the ground was less than 5 minutes drive away - oh well, good job it was the "All You Can Eat Stand ..."

A really good atmosphere in the ground and it seems that the stadium is really hot on not allowing beach balls. Therefore, every man and his dog brings at least a dozen and blow them up at regular intervals, hit them around the stand and the stewards have to run around trying to catch the ball. The crowd appear to enjoy teasing the stewards by knocking it all the way to one side of the stand, wait for the lone steward to run all the way down there, and then knock it back the other side!

We got given a BobblyHead character of one of the team members each on the way-in ... haven't got a clue who he is, but it will look nice in my cupboard of collectables. We were also in the stand known as "Souvenir City" because that's where all the baseballs head towards for home-runs and the players throw practice ball in there to the crowd - in fact it was at these moments that the crowd became most animated!!

Unlike Coventry, they have a large screen and they know how to use it - getting the crowd pumped up and really playing on their home advantage. Like Coventry, they start badly, promise so much and then through it all away at the end. We were treated to a 3 1/2 hour marathon with two extra innings but the Dodgers finally lost 6-5. They did, however, win two more fans!

Dodgers Stadium

Let's Go Dodgers!!!

Our Kind Of Stand ...

Nothing particularly funny to talk about - although whenever there was an opportunity to get wet ... Dad did in spectacular fashion.

I was under the impression that there were lots of rollercoaster-type rides but instead there were many 3/4D experiences - which were just as fun.

A quick round-up of the attractions that we went on:
Studio Tour: Very interesting although a VERY over-the-top tour guide!
Mummy Returns: Back and Forward Rollercoaster - In the dark - Good but it says something when the bloke who jumps out dressed up in a mummy outfit when you walk out at the end is the scariest part!
Shrek 4D - Brilliant
Terminator 2 3D - Good with actors playing Arnie
Back To The Future - Another "experience" ride, but worth a go as they are getting rid of it in September.
Animal Show - I swear I saw Dad's long lost brother in this one ...
Waterworld - Full blown live action show ... with water!!
Fear Factor Live - Dad wanted to audition for this but unfortunately the lycra wouldn't stretch that far!
Special Effects Stages - A good insight into the numerous effects that make a film.
Back Draft - Come on ... who doesn't like a good fire?

We didn't leave the park until 9pm and then went into the Universal City Walk where we had dinner at The Hard Rock Cafe whilst listening to the worst band ever - although I'm sure Amy would love them!

Universal Studios

I knew we shouldn't have parked there ...

Guess the Film 2

Guess the TV Show

Guess the Film 1

There's always someone who turns up in the same outfit!!

I don't think anyone noticed when Dad let one go ...

As we carried on walking, the crowds began to build up and we noticed that the road ahead had been closed off. We found out that it was the premiere of the new Harry Potter film and with there only being about 2hrs until it kicked off, we decided to stay. Some people had been there since 2am, the time was now 4pm, and we had just as good a view of the action - obviously we had a height advantage. Two women even offered us $20 each if we would lift them on our shoulders ... Dad said he would pay them!

The stars turned up and wandered around the crowds, we got some pictures and some brilliant video footage, and then it was all over. There was a bit of action next to us at the end when a girl collapsed and the paramedics had to rush in and carry her off to hospital ... I, of course, filmed the whole thing and offered to sell it to NBC News who missed it. Come on, I'm not that bad!! ... or am I?

With the battery on my camera almsot depleted and Dad's bladder fit to burst, we walked back up to the hotel for half an hour. Next we drove up quite close to the Hollywood sign to take some pictures, although the light was wrong for having a person in the foreground.

We then tried to find something to eat, trusting the Sat Nav to decide. Now if you remember, last time we trusted the Sat Nav we ended up at Ruth's Chris Steak House (see Palm Springs) and this time was no better. 3 different restaurants it took us too, each with something wrong - closed, no parking etc - until finally we settled on a takeaway Pizza Hut pizza and chicken wings - very nice they were too!

He must have starred with ...

... in some film that's not in my collection.

Harry Potter Premiere

Hollywood

Had breakfast at a place round the corner and have come in here to make our final entry in the USA. Next we plan to go back to the shopping outlet to change a shirt that was a bit too small and then, if we have time, go to Venice Beach before having a farewell meal at In-N-Out Burger and returning the car.

We would just like to thank everybody who has followed us on our journey through the States and even taken the time to make some comments. I hope the blog has given you some insight into the fun that we've had in our 2 and a bit weeks here - I'm sure that you'll hear about our adventures first hand in the near future.

We'll make one final entry when we return to England just to let you all know that we're back - which might fill some people with dread.

Once again, thank you. It's cost us a fortune to keep this blog updated, but it's been worth every penny!

All the best,
Adam & Steve

written by  Adam & Steve Balcombe on July 9, 2007 from Los Angeles, United States
from the travel blog: Adam & Steve's Best of the West USA Road Trip 2007!
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Dad had to pay $25 for his over weight baggage and then was picked up for having liquids in his hand luggage - "I didn't realise sun tan lotion was a liquid!". After briefly getting intimate with a rubber glove it was, rather sheepishly, onto the plane.

Quite an eventful flight back with us sitting in the middle of the most obnoxious Israeli family in the world! The crew were brilliant in their handling of the situation, even giving us free alcoholic beverages to ease the pain.

Thanks again for following our adventures, we're off to have a much needed rest ... well Dad's in for work tomorrow, but I'm sure I'll be able to have a lie in!

written by  Adam & Steve Balcombe on July 10, 2007 from Heathrow, United Kingdom
from the travel blog: Adam & Steve's Best of the West USA Road Trip 2007!
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